American Revolutionary Era Quiz

1. What is a thesis?

A personal opinion with no evidence to support it.

A general overview of a subject.

A refined statement about a specific topic that is arguable.

A scientific fact that cannot be debated.

A thesis is not just a general overview or personal opinion, but a specific statement that can be argued and supported with evidence.

Explanation

A thesis is not just a general overview or personal opinion, but a specific statement that can be argued and supported with evidence.

2. What were the laws passed by the British Government to help pay for the French and Indian War?

The Declarations

The Resolutions

The Treaties

The Acts

During the French and Indian War, the British Government enacted various Acts to help finance the war efforts, such as the Stamp Act of 1765 and the Sugar Act of 1764.

Explanation

During the French and Indian War, the British Government enacted various Acts to help finance the war efforts, such as the Stamp Act of 1765 and the Sugar Act of 1764.

3. What was the pamphlet by Thomas Paine, published in January 1776, that called for American independence from Britain?

The Magna Carta

The Federalist Papers

Declaration of Independence

Common Sense

Common Sense is the correct answer because it was a widely circulated pamphlet that had a significant impact on the American Revolution, advocating for independence from Britain.

Explanation

Common Sense is the correct answer because it was a widely circulated pamphlet that had a significant impact on the American Revolution, advocating for independence from Britain.

4. Who is credited as the writer of the Declaration of Independence?

Benjamin Franklin

George Washington

John Adams

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson is widely recognized as the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, which was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. While there were others who provided input and revisions, Jefferson's eloquent writing style and philosophical ideas are prominently reflected in the document.

Explanation

Thomas Jefferson is widely recognized as the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, which was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. While there were others who provided input and revisions, Jefferson's eloquent writing style and philosophical ideas are prominently reflected in the document.

5. What incident occurred on March 5, 1770, in which British soldiers killed five colonists?

Philadelphia Massacre

Yorktown Massacre

Lexington Massacre

Boston Massacre

The Boston Massacre refers to the incident on March 5, 1770, in Boston, Massachusetts, where British soldiers shot and killed five colonists. The other options provided, Lexington Massacre, Philadelphia Massacre, and Yorktown Massacre, are not historically accurate events and do not refer to the specific incident in Boston on that date.

Explanation

The Boston Massacre refers to the incident on March 5, 1770, in Boston, Massachusetts, where British soldiers shot and killed five colonists. The other options provided, Lexington Massacre, Philadelphia Massacre, and Yorktown Massacre, are not historically accurate events and do not refer to the specific incident in Boston on that date.

6. What fundamental political idea is expressed in the Declaration of Independence?

If the government denies its people certain basic rights, that government can be overthrown

All citizens must blindly follow the government's decisions without question.

People are not entitled to any rights or freedoms under the government.

Governments have unlimited power over their citizens with no repercussions.

The Declaration of Independence emphasizes the importance of protecting basic rights and freedoms of individuals, and it asserts that if a government fails to uphold these rights, the people have the right to overthrow that government.

Explanation

The Declaration of Independence emphasizes the importance of protecting basic rights and freedoms of individuals, and it asserts that if a government fails to uphold these rights, the people have the right to overthrow that government.

7. What factors led to the change in British policies from salutary neglect to mercantilism in the colonies?

Influence of other European powers

-French and Indian Wars -Desire of added revenue -desire to assert British authority over Colonies

Colonial push for independence

Economic downturn in Britain

The British policies shifted from salutary neglect to mercantilism due to the French and Indian Wars, desire for added revenue, and the need to assert British authority over the colonies. Factors such as an economic downturn in Britain, colonial push for independence, and influence of other European powers did not directly contribute to this policy shift.

Explanation

The British policies shifted from salutary neglect to mercantilism due to the French and Indian Wars, desire for added revenue, and the need to assert British authority over the colonies. Factors such as an economic downturn in Britain, colonial push for independence, and influence of other European powers did not directly contribute to this policy shift.

8. List two effects of the Acts.

French and Indian War

Declaration of Independence

-Boycott -Boston Tea Party -Colonial Resentment -The Continental Congress

Proclamation of 1763

The correct effects of the Acts were boycotts organized by the colonists as a form of protest, and the famous Boston Tea Party. The Declaration of Independence occurred later in 1776 after escalating tensions, the French and Indian War was a previous conflict that influenced the Acts, and the Proclamation of 1763 was a separate British policy regulating western expansion.

Explanation

The correct effects of the Acts were boycotts organized by the colonists as a form of protest, and the famous Boston Tea Party. The Declaration of Independence occurred later in 1776 after escalating tensions, the French and Indian War was a previous conflict that influenced the Acts, and the Proclamation of 1763 was a separate British policy regulating western expansion.

9. Study this. Eventually you need to be able to label them all. But, for now try at least 7 out of 13.

Here they are:

Only a few elements are shown here.

Identify which ones are correct.

These are the top 5 elements.

The question is about studying and labeling a set of elements, not specifying the number of elements or grouping a subset of them.

Explanation

The question is about studying and labeling a set of elements, not specifying the number of elements or grouping a subset of them.